PASAY CITY, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda appears ready to rejoin the Senate majority after acknowledging that her decision to align with the minority bloc was a misstep, according to Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
In a radio interview on Saturday, Lacson revealed that Legarda had contacted him directly to express regret over joining the minority led by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.
She also shared her frustration that Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III—a fellow Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) member who previously served as her vice-presidential campaign manager in 2004—had stopped replying to her messages.
“Yun huling usap namin, na nagkamali raw siya. Sabi ko, kalimutan mo na yun. Tapos na yun,” Lacson said.
Indicating that the majority bloc holds no grudges against her, Lacson noted that she would be accepted back.
“Welcome naman namin siya na bumalik,” he said.
Legarda shifted to the minority following a recent Senate leadership reorganization, but she has been on medical leave abroad since August 3 due to a reported lung ailment.
Addressing her prolonged absence, Lacson mentioned that he advised her to consider returning home if her condition allows, though the final choice remains hers.
“Kung kaya ng health niya, I would suggest na bumalik na dito. At the end of the day, sarili niyang decision yan,” he said.
The development aligns with earlier statements from her spokesperson, Atty. Antonio “Tony” La Viña, who confirmed that the senator remains open to returning to the majority, describing such realignments as routine in Senate politics.
Legarda’s return carries weight beyond internal chamber dynamics. Her prolonged absence played a role in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, where senator-judges decided to calculate the required two-thirds conviction vote based on present and participating members rather than the full 24-seat membership.
Additionally, her leave comes amid reports of a preliminary Ombudsman probe involving her and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, regarding a multibillion-peso solar energy business transaction.